My favorite things

I know I'm not Oprah - but here are a few things I'm loving right now!

Mary Kay's new Mineral Powder Foundation - this stuff is amazing!!!

Yum - I'm really watching what I eat right now, and this actually fits in my diet!

I love the Southwestern style - add a little taco cheese and BAM! Breakfast is served.

I haven't missed a day of bellydancing in about 2 weeks. Soon - my abs will be as lovely as hers.

This picture always makes me laugh - I'm not sure why, but man, it's funny.

Body Pump. Currently I do this workout once per week. 45 minutes of sheer crazy cardio weight lifting. I hurt for days following it, or I would do it more than once! I look forward to it - especially one of the hot guys who seriously looks right at me during our bicep curls. I nearly drop my weights every time. (I can't find a picture of him, so this one must do!) And I giggle every time the instructor says during squats, "Put it in the legs - now put it in the butt!" I'm sorry, I'm a 4th grade boy.

Mary Kay Onyx eyeshadow. Da bomb.

The new season of LOST. It is freaking amazing.

And now that the writer's strike is over, I'm ready for some new Office!!! Wooo hoo!!

So what are your favorite things?

Seriously

How awesome was LOST last night????

Oh man! I love the new characters! And Sawyer had a couple of great zingers! And he's still scruffy hot!

I'll put spoilers in the comments section for those who live out of the country and haven't seen it yet! Tell me what you think!

Oh - and this is something from a guy from my tri website I frequent - thought it was an interesting idea:

"I got the C.S. Lewis (NEW CHARACTER Charlotte Staples Lewis )reference immediately as he is 1 of my all time fav authors & I amcurrently re-reading all the Narnia books to my son at bedtime.

Asyou may already know, in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe 4children travel to the magical land of Narnia. While there, years pass.In fact they grow to adulthood while there & their "old" lives inour "real world" are forgotten over time. But when they return to their(our) world they are children again & no time has passed at all. And yes, Polar bears do pull the witches sled. (edited - in the movie during the battle scene, not in the book)

C.S.Lewis explains in in the other Narnia books that time works differentin Narnia. Sometimes a little time passes, sometimes none at all.

WhatI find most interesting as relates to LOST is not found The Lion, TheWitch & The Wardrobe, but in a later book in the series, TheMagician's Nephew.

The Magician's Nephew tells the story of howNarnia was born & discovered & how others are able to travel toit later. 2 children (due to the boys mean Uncle who is missing with magic stuff he does not understand) discover how to travel to "The Woods Between Worlds."
Thismagical wooded area is filled with small pools which lead to otherworlds/dimensions. Those who know how can travel between these worlds.

Withoutadding to my already lengthy post, later we learn that certainmaterial/items from Narnia end up in our world and can be used to jumpbetween worlds. There are also pre-existing magical portals, but Aslanthe Lion states there are "less of those" as time goes by.
I'mwondering if these types of "portals to other worlds" is part of whatis going on in LOST? We've seenthe writers reference other works of fiction where the characters journely to other magical lands (Wizard of Oz, Alice In Wonderland). Is this how the Polar Bear ends up in Tunisia?

Or not.... "

Workout today

Belly Dancing - 210 calories burned

Show shoveling (2 times) 45 minutes each - 864 calories total

Total calories burned: 1074

Snow day: Priceless

Shake that thang

I'm not the only one enjoying my new belly dancing hip scarf.

Week 154: Breathing room

(From one of my favorite author/writer/bloggers Catherine Newman)

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

Oh yeah? Well Kahlil Gibran can bite me.

Oops! I mean: How inspirational!

The funny thing is, when I was a teenager, that poem really spoke to me, if you know what I'm saying. I mean, I more or less had it inscribed onto pizza-sized medallions for my parents. Or maybe I had it tattooed across their backs? I can't remember. But I do know that it gave me a certain kind of a "Right on!" feeling. Now I read it, and I know that it's right — I can feel in my bones how right it is — but it just produces in me a vague and uninspired sort of guilt, the way you feel when you bury a mayonnaise jar in the trash instead of recycling it, because the thought of cramming a sponge into its greasy emptiness and getting mayonnaise all over your knuckles is just too much to bear.

But really, I am working on it. I can see that the children are their own people; I understand that the sooner and better I integrate that fact into my life, well, the happier we'll all be. But I still catch myself feeling so much ownership of them — as though they really are ours, these two beautiful lives that share this house with Michael and me. We tried to see Shrek 2 out on the town common last week, and we ended up fleeing about twenty minutes into it, a panic-stricken Ben in tears, despite his having borrowed a pair of our friend Jim's earplugs to block out the frightening, frightening, um — fart jokes ("I yike Frek!" Birdy announced brightly in the car, and then added, out of respect for her tender-hearted brother, "But it was too, too scary.").

Anyways, in those twenty minutes on the twilit grass, both kids cuddled in my lap, and I couldn't stop putting my lips to their heads — those damp, fragrant midsummer scalps. I kissed their hair and the backs of their necks and, when Birdy tipped her head back to smile at me, I kissed the soft white of her underchin.

Oh the luxury! There'll be a time when the children's bodies are off limits to me — when I will have to do all my fond gazing while they're asleep because even the presence of my eyes on them will feel about as welcome and comfortable as a hair shirt. I think that's my biggest worry about the kids becoming teenagers: Not so much the smoking of something or other in a Dunkin Donuts employee bathroom or the various breathless gropings of underclothes, but this — this potential loss of access to the people I love most in the whole world. Also that I won't be able to comfort them simply by rocking them in my lap. And that they'll be teased. Oh, and also death, of course. I mean, I wouldn't want to leave out my truest, bluest companion, phobia-wise.

But they are my children—right But even now, with Ben in particular, I'm starting to realize — or to make myself realize — that he's his own person in the world, and his social interactions aren't really mine to mediate as they were more when he was little. He talks to people — friends, strangers, relatives — and I try to stop myself from whispering "Don't forget to say 'thank you'!" because the truth is he knows how he wants to be. So I try to hang back more (in case you couldn't guess, "hanging back" comes about as naturally to me as hang gliding) and give him space to make his own way.

Like when we were waiting for Michael and Birdy in the airport and Ben was admiring some man's Minnie Mouse bag. It was one of those vaguely pornographic Minnie drawings where she's about as mouselike as Angelina Jolie. "Kind of makes you wish she were real so you could take her out on a date, right?" the bag's owner said, grossly, and then winked at me. And I was going to say something myself, but Ben shook his head. "Really? Not me. If I could take any cartoon out on a date I think it would have to be Pooh." Something about Ben's confident good-heartedness — or maybe it was his expressive innocence — just took all the slippery wind out of this guy's sails, and he said, "Whatever," and kind of shrugged himself away from us. And I thought, "You go, Ben!" and felt the way pride feels from a tiny bit of distance.

I know that I'm not marrying my own kids or anything, but I was thinking of this other classic quotation about relationships, from Rainer Maria Rilke's letters: "Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest people infinite distances exist, a marvelous living side by side can grow up for them, if they succeed in loving the expanse between them, which gives them the possibility of always seeing each other as a whole and before an immense sky." Amen. I don't want Ben and Birdy to grow up feeling like their view of the sky is blocked out by my enormous, anxious face. Also by the Miss-Gulch-carrying-Toto-away-in-her-bike-basket soundtrack from the Wizard of Oz. I'm going to keep working on it.

Calling all helpful people out there!!!

I am currently getting my postpartum and birth doula certification. What is a doula, you ask? Check out the info from http://www.dona.org/ or below.

But I need help from you! If any of you live in the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area, or know someone who does, who needs postpartum or birth doula help, please let me know. Part of my certification is helping 3 separate families to earn my certification. I am going to work at a reduced cost to those who take me up on this special event!

Generally I will only charge mileage for my postpartum client (I just need one more) and $75 for a birth client. I am also open to bartering services/goods for this experience. In my area postpartum doulas charge $20-35 per hour and birth doulas charge $500 per birth.

Please read the info below for questions on what a doula is, and why it is great to have one! I have also included information on birth doulas as well. Every woman deserves a doula!!!!

What is a doula?

Giving birth to a baby is so much more than a physical phenomenon; it engages parents-to-be in a transformational experience, a key life event full of emotion and meaning. A doula who accompanies a woman in labor mothers the mother, taking care of her emotional needs throughout childbirth. A doula also provides support and suggestions for partners that can enhance their experiences of birth. A postpartum doula continues that valuable emotional support and guidance, helping a family make a smooth transition into new family dynamics.

DONA International doulas make the difference

Our doulas are educated and knowledgeable about childbirth and the postpartum experience. They are advocates and a listening ear for birthing mothers, as well as facilitators to her partner. When a family goes home with a new baby, a postpartum doula supports every member and the family unit as a whole.

DONA International doulas are educated to work within evidence-based standards of practice. The skills that they develop are medically proven to make a true difference in the experience of birth. A DONA International doula’s presence at birth improves outcomes for mother and baby. In the postpartum period, a doula’s guidance can empower and encourage new parents, inspiring self-confidence in parenting.

Why use a doula?

DONA International doulas mother the mother

Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences.

DONA International doulas are educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period. We are prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth. We offer a loving touch; positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for.

Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth:

Tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complications
Reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience
Reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction and cesareans
Reduces the mother’s request for pain medication and/or epidurals

Research shows parents who receive support can:

Feel more secure and cared for
Are more successful in adapting to new family dynamics
Have greater success with breastfeeding
Have greater self-confidence
Have less postpartum depression

LOST Anyone?

Anyone else totally stoked for this show? That's right, I said "stoked" and I live in Iowa. I have so many lost memories, the first episode was killer and I was hooked. A few episodes later and I felt my baby (Rhys) move for the first time. And now I haven't planned to watch anything until now. I actually put it on my calendar and set a reminder on the TV just in case!

So, if you are a fan, please feel free to post how you felt about the episode - I'm trying not to get hyped up about it because I hate being disappointed about a frigging TV show, but I'm really excited! And after last season's finale, there is a heck of a lot of explainin' to do!

Bliss - A Baby Story

Today I did it - I helped a family bring a new life into the world as their doula. It went just about as perfect as can be, and was such an amazing miracle! I've been up for a long time and the adrenaline is slowly ceasing to pump through my system. I'm off to hit the sack before I pick up Rhys from preschool.

The best news (besides a happy and healthy momma and baby) is that I feel at peace with where my life is. Finally - I know what I'm supposed to be when I grow up.

That feeling is priceless.

Happy Birthday Rhys!!

In honor of your special day I have made you a cake! Ribbit! I hope you are surprised when you see it tomorrow when you wake up! And can wait to have a piece after lunch with all your friends at daycare. Mom and Dad are so excited to eat lunch with you, watch you blow out your candles and dig in!

We can't believe you are 3 years old on the 23rd! We love you so much!

Half.com

In my quest to clean all the crap out of this house, I have become addicted to half.com. Basically it's like ebay, without any cost to put your stuff out there to sell. I have been selling old textbooks and other books for the past couple of months. All you have to do it put in the IBN number and they list it. I get an email saying I made a sale, then send it off by media mail. It's super slick! They take a small percentage off the top, and reimburse my shipping (since the buyer pays it).

I have 3 books to send out today which will put about $50 in my pocket - not bad in a days work!

You can sell loads of other things too - plus I have bought my school text books and some new books for my doula library all at an amazing bargain. And I dont' have to bid or hassle with that crap on ebay!

Enjoy!

My office is da bomb-diggity

And I mean bomb in a bad way.

Tis the season to clean and organize. At least that's one of my new year resolutions and the #1 item on the list to accomplish before Rhys leaves his daycare.

My office is a complete wreck. Since I work from home, I can hardly get anything done because I'm so distracted by the mess. So I'm tackling it today (while aaron is home). I'm about 1/4 done and have saved the desk for last. I would take a picture but it's so embarrasing that I will only do an after picture!!!

So, back to the grind!

PS. Rhys is doing great! I had a tupperware party yesterday with real adult friends and he totally behaved. Yeah! He will go to daycare for 1/2 a day tomorrow, his first time back since jan. 9th.

PPS. We are going to enroll him in a preschool since he turns 3 on Wednesday and is finally (cue angels) potty trained! Hopefully we can get him in, if not he'll be home with me. I hope it works out, I haven't been a stay at home mom (fulltime) since August of 2005. But now that I'm done with school and can arrange my doula hours around Aaron's schedule it's time to save all that money going down the drain.

And........we're clear!

Rhys woke up this morning, almost back to normal! Up at 7:30, watched cartoons for awhile then woke up Dad at 8:30. Instead we all fell back asleep until 9:45!!! I think all three of us needed it. It was the quietest Rhys has slept since a week ago Thursday.


Aaron had to work at 1pm, but Rhys was awesome for me all day! He had been anti-mommy (I was the one who gave him his icky meds, made him drink or eat, use the potty) this week, but today he LOVED me! Yeah! Bonus is I got him into bed at 7:30pm and I haven't heard a peep.


Thanks everyone for letting me vent on here. I hope the rest of my posts are on a much lighter note!


We see the doc tomorrow for his post op visit, and I think he'll do great!

This week

Insert in eyesocket.

I can't take much more of this

sick kid parenting.

Please let tomorrow be better.

For my son's health

and for my own mental health.

The.

End.

My new 'do

I hope I dont' regret it and think of it as a don't.

Here's the situation - my hair hasn't been cut for 3 months, it was super bleached from this summer and over highlighting it myself. I needed to start fresh and just get rid of the old stuff!!! Yes, sad pic of Rhys after surgery - but the latest of my sucky long hair too:

So here is the result - my husband took the photo - so it's not great. Rhys also had to be involved in the photo session - much improved from the last pic, but his fever was up to 101 - so we're probably going to the doc tomorrow anyway. Poor guy:

A sick kid will totally harsh your mellow

Things are not better. In fact, they are worse. The nurse warned me that the day after surgery was the best (he was awesome) but now each day is getting suckier and suckier for Rhys.

Here's what's going on:

• The scabs are getting thicker, and he can hardly talk


• He is tired of drinking all the time


• Drinking all the time makes him pee in his pants


• He gets sad when he pees in his pants


• Poops are also super gross since the most substantial food he has had for 2 days is cheese and jello


• Did I mention he is sad?


• When he does talk it sounds like he's a munchkin with 30 marshmellows stuck in his cheeks


• He's spiked a low grade fever


• He has told me some of the things that happened to him during the surgery (ie the clamp things they put on his mouth to stretch it "like this" and they touched his face, he acts it out for me, on me) and I'm pretty sure he's not fibbing.


• It is possible he was awake for some of this? Is that what I get for asking the anesthesisiologist if he was good?


• His swollen lips and sores in the sides of his mouth


• He hates his medicine


• He just woke up crying and wouldn't let me pick him up, he's so sad


• When he drinks sometimes it shoots out his nose and he gets very sad and confused


• My happiest boy in the world is sad

Send prayers and happy thoughts our way. I can hardly take this anymore. I know this will help in the long run, but I kind of want to punch his doctor in the face.

PS - His nurse in recovery gave me the title of this post.

Think happy thoughts

Rhys' tonsils and adenoids come out tomorrow at 8:30am. Also, they discovered at his pre-op physical one of his ear tubes has also come out, so we have to replace that too. The poor little guy is in for it tomorrow.

And today I feel like I have the flu. Oh God....help us get through the next 48 hours. Will appreciate all thoughts and prayers! I know this stuff is minor compared to what's going on in the world, but it's still my little guy who at this time, doesn't know what's going to happen to him!

Shimmy!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this show. 30 minutes fly by like no tomorrow and I feel somewhat like a dancer again. I'm not sure if it's the music, clothes or the artful places (I think so anyway) they dance, or just their slamming bodies! Hips and abs and even a little strechmark or two. I would do this every single day instead of a stupid crunch!! So, if you have time, tonite they are doing 2, half hour segments, so check your local listings. You won't regret it!
http://health.discovery.com/convergence/shimmy/about.html

2007 - Year in Review

I have had fun reading friend's info, so thought I would share mine with you!

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Sprint triathlon

2. What are your New Year's Resolutions? none, but I'm going to lose "the weight" this year

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Lots of my friends!

4. Did anyone close to you die? My sweet dog, Abby

5. What states/countries did you visit? Wales/UK, Illinois, Nebraska

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? Another baby!

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Cerri and Alex's wedding (ok it was dec 30th, 2006, but we were there over the new year and beyond.), the whole Goodfellow clan visiting us in April, my first doula class in October and a few weeks later dropping out of school.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? The triathlon, and putting away a big dream to realize my calling - becoming a doula.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury? migraine that required a trip to the ER at 1am. Let's pray that will NEVER happen again! And a bout with plantar fasciitis that has sidelined me until now in training for my next tri.

10. What was the best thing you bought? Our new van. suuuuweeeeet!

11. Whose behavior merited celebration? Rhys has really come into his own. And my brother in law has also really grown up a lot.

12. What song will always remind you of 2007? That's a toughie - I mainly listen to old stuff

13. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? fatter - that sucks!
c) richer or poorer? about the same

14. What do you wish you’d done more of? been with my family. School really sucked the life out of me

15. What do you wish you’d done less of? studying for pointless classes

16. How did you spend Christmas? Were in Omaha and a week later in Illinois

17. What was your favorite TV program? The Office, Torchwood, anything on BBC America, travel or food channel that happened to come across

18. What was the best book you read? Loved Eat, Pray, Love and A Thousand Splendid Suns

19. What was your favorite film of this year? the new Harry Potter, just saw Stardust and really like that too

20. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 31 - yikes. I don't remember, we did family stuff and Aaron got me an awesome cake!

21. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Quit school and started my doula business before I spent thousands more on tuition/applications

22. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? my tri shorts were super sexy, I thought. Especially after they chaffed the hell out of my who-haw. Aren't you glad you kept reading this thing, huh?

23. What kept you sane? My husband, family and the pool

24. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006
Putting away a dream is really hard. Life isn't easy, fair, or transparent. Cliche - but God has a plan and sometimes you have to close your eyes and ears and believe in choices that don't make sense at the time. Oh, and I have the best family in the world who supports and loves me more than I know.

25. Quote a song that sums up your year."My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,You never need to carry more than you can hold,and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,Yeah, this, is my wish"
(Thanks, Kate, I loved that)

I challenge you

A friend of mine has put up a fun blog amongst her friends to get fit and strong in 2008. I thought it was a great idea. I found this on my TNO site and challenge all of you to a race. It can be anything from a fun run/walk to a full fledge marathon or triathlon if it suits you. Either way, I have found great joy and amazing accomplishment though my own races.

For a moment, when you are at the starting line,
stop everything,
listen to your heartbeat, listen really closely to it.
In those beats you will also hear the voices of everyone who loves you and,
know one thing for sure,
in their voices you will find the strength.

Now is a good time to step back a minute,
let it all sink in.
You are about to become a member of a select group of people,
not just those who ran a Marathon,
but those who had the heart and drive to achieve
what at one time they thought could not be achieved.

That is your strength
That is your confidence,
That is YOU!!!

Anonymous.

My favorite things

1. Waking up to my son telling me it's 9 o'clock
2. Big hugs (not to be confused with crushing ones)
3. Eskimo kisses
4. Snow days
5. Someone else shoveling the driveway
6. Harry Potter
7. Singing with all my family
8. Loving my "new" relatives who are marrying in
9. A husband who "gets' me
10. Work that doesn't feel like a job
11. Reading a new book
12. Getting over $20 off on coupons at the grocery store
13. Finishing craft projects
14. Picking up conversations with friends like we just spoke moments ago, though it has been months or even years
15. Finding out that old friends are truly gold
16. Not being afraid of what the new year brings, and instead saying, "Bring it on!"

Tis the Season...

To look at a hot guy (David Beckham) in his tighty whities - You're welcome.

Top Ten Things To Do When Home Alone

That's right, no kids, no husband for 24 hours:

1. Paint toenails

2. Sew like crazy, I made a doorstop/keep the heat in/cold out thing, table runner and one sad little beanbag - I was too tired of sitting to make a friend for it.

3. Cut off the feet to a size 5T sleeper I bought Rhys that his feet are too big for. I did not like Aaron's idea of merely cutting the toe part off (we're not THAT WT), instead removed the rubber feet entirely and hemmed them up like a champ.

4. Eat my own food and not share.

5. Enjoy my chocolate stash in the living room watching TV (usually I hide in the bathroom).

6. Flipping the channel from the food network, to HGTV to Bravo and not hearing any bitching about it.

7. Clean the kitchen with no interuptions.

8. One hour of bellydancing and no husband to pop a beer can and enjoy the view behind me.

9. Silence.

10. Update my little blog.

Ho Ho Noooooooo!!!

Someone asked me if we were going to get a picture with Rhys and Santa. I responded, "Hell no."

Why?

Here are 5 reasons:

If you didn't get enough pain and suffering, check out even more of the hilarity at the Sun Sentinal.

I'm still laughing

Walmart Employee: "Hello 'dis Walmarts, how can I help you?"
Customer: " I would like to order a cake for a going away party this week."
Walmart Employee: "What you want on the cake?"
Customer: "Best Wishes Suzanne" and underneath that "We will miss you".

My Holiday Open House!

Happy Holidays!!!

If you live in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area - I want to invite you to my open house featuring me, with Mary Kay Cosmetics and my friends: Rebecca with lia sophia jewelry, and Lisa with Tastefully Simple gourmet foods!

Holiday Happy Hour on Friday, Nov 16 from 5-9pm

Holiday Cookies and Carols on Saturday, Nov 17 from 10am-2pm

We are offering GREAT deals, free gifts for visiting, and THREE Grand Prize drawings - it's going to be fun AND a great way to start (and finish) your holiday shopping!

For those who live out of town - you can still enjoy my great holiday prices for a limited time. If you place an order by December 1st you can save:

• 20% off all Timewise products - including the miracle set!


• 30% off all Gift sets and Fragrances


• Buy 1, get 1 Half Price on all COLOR (eyes, lips, cheeks and bronzer!)


• And as always, a free gift with $40 purchase. This quarter it's the mini satin hands set - AWESOME!

Finally - if you want to hold a Look Book or online party (SO EASY!!) let me know. For this same limited time (til December 1st) if you book a party and have at least $200 in sales, you will get 10% off your next order AND the new Brush Set for FREE (worth $48!!).

Call or message me now!

Happy Holidays and hope to see you soon!

www.marykay.com/kmead2

Are you ready to ROCK????

Trying to get his "rock and roll" spirit hand right:

A little chilly - but we had a great haul!

He was really mad that I didn't spray his hair blue for school today. I never thought, "No, you can only spray your hair blue on special days," would ever come out of my mouth. Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!!!!

My little monster

We decided to do a little shopping and found a couple of great buys at Target. Oh Target, how I love you....Here is Skeleton with his glow in the dark hoody (sweet for his rock and roll costume!) and my little Bat Boy in his new bath towel!

Can you find?

What's wrong with this picture?

The Halloween Costume Fiasco

I love Halloween. Besides Christmas, it's probably my favorite holiday. I loved to dress up as a kid and pretend to be someone else, all my costumes were super elaborate. And I'm pretty sure I made all of them (with the help of Mom) instead of those "fake" store bought ones. Oh - and let's not forget the candy! This was the time I was allowed to eat all the crap my Mom didn't let in the house! And every street we lived on (we moved a lot) there was always one old lady handing out the King Size candy bars - that was awesome!

So Rhys is now old enough to decide what to wear this time around. His first year I had a cute pumpkin onesie and a hat. Last year he was dressed as a monkey (got it cheap on the internet) and he loved monkeys, so that worked. But this year he gets to choose. He has been switching back and forth from a pirate (I loved it) or a football player (eh). But the last 2 weeks when I ask him (yes, we have been talking about this for awhile, I'm weird like that) he said something like this, "A titarhedoplar" SAY WHAT????

After him repeating it and myself, Aaron, Zannie, Mother in law and Mom repeating it back, "Tiny Dancer?" "Baseball player?" "Tyranasaurus Rex?" "Pirate Player?" and my favorite, "Cougar Dancer?" we still had no clue.

Then finally, it hit me! "Rhys," I said, "Do you want to be a Guitar Hero Player?" "Yes Mom!" he says like an exasparated teenager... Oh finally, we figured it out.

So now I have to plan the outfit. I'm thinking this: his normal tennis shoes, jeans, cool print tshirt, long sleeve shirt underneath (if cold), spiked hair, possible spray paint in it, bandana/headband a al Bret Michaels of Poison. Then I'm going to look for a toy guitar, or make one out of cardboard that he can decorate. We'll see.

So I'm going for a little more of this:

And a little less of this:

Repeat after me, "What????"